Seattle finally picks, gets Colorado's Richardson

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2013, file photo, Colorado's wide receiver Paul Richardson runs the ball for a touchdown after making a reception against Washington in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks picked Colorado wide receiver Richardson with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
The Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2013, file photo, Colorado's wide receiver Paul Richardson runs the ball for a touchdown after making a reception against Washington in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks picked Colorado wide receiver Richardson with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The belief was that if Seattle decided to address adding a wide receiver in the NFL draft that size and height might outweigh all other factors.

Instead, the Seahawks chose speed over size.

After twice trading down, the Seahawks picked Colorado wide receiver Paul Richardson with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the draft on Friday, pairing one of the fastest players in the draft with an offense that will have its first full season with Percy Harvin healthy.

Seattle later added Missouri offensive lineman Justin Britt with the final pick of the second round and immediately threw him in the competition for the Seahawks' open spot at right tackle following the departure of Breno Giacomini in free agency.

Seattle was originally scheduled to pick at No. 40 before making a second draft trade, this time with Detroit. By moving back five spots, the Seahawks were still able to get a speedy receiver to add to their roster and help make up for the loss of Golden Tate in free agency.

"I really think he's the guy with the best quickness in and out of the breaks and the explosive downfield (strike)," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "He's an exciting guy to bring to camp to add to our team and I think the guys will take to him."

Richardson was timed at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, good for the eighth-fastest time of all participants. Richardson said his fastest 40 time ever was a 4.28 earlier this year and was disappointed with what he ran at the combine.

That speed in college helped to make up for a lack of weight. Richardson said he played collegiately around 160 pounds, but has added about 20 pounds since the end of last season. Despite his lack of weight, Seattle scout Matt Berry said Richardson had no problem separating from physical defensive backs at the line of scrimmage.

"How big is Doug (Baldwin)? How big is Percy? He's just like our guys," Carroll said. "I know there is some concern about that but we love the way our guys play."

Carroll remembered Richardson, a Los Angeles native, being on his radar when he was the coach at Southern California before taking the Seahawks job.

"I think I'm just a playmaker. A guy that likes to stretch the defense and likes to make plays underneath and over the top and do it consistently," Richardson said.

Richardson missed the 2012 season with a knee injury. His rebound in 2013 was outstanding. Despite playing with a young quarterback, Richardson had a standout senior season with 83 catches for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdown catches. Three times he had at least 10 catches in a game, even as the Buffaloes were struggling through a 4-8 season.

"My knee hasn't been an issue since I got my brace off," Richardson said. "I've been blessed to bounce back from my injury fast."

Britt's selection addressed Seattle's need for depth on the offensive line after the departures of Giacomini and Paul McQuistan in free agency. While he played left and right tackle at Missouri, the Seahawks intend on giving him the first look at right tackle competing with Michael Bowie.